I am a male in my late 40s (but don't look it...honest ). I have just received my MAT - this is my second career. I have an 8-year old son. I have had a few interviews for positions and so far I haven't landed anything. I am in Georgia. Do you think my age could be a factor?????
Possibly, but it could also be a number of things which you have no control over. A few interviews is just that. Some people try for years to get a job. Keep looking. You could be overqualified too.
I got several offers last year, and I'm a 48 (!!!) year old mom of 3 young kids. I'm guessing it's just that those weren't the right jobs for you.
Thanks Aliceacc but you probably also have been a teacher for a while, yes? Or at least have experience. I am new to the teaching thing and spent the first part of my life as an account rep in the printing industry. But still, I hope you're right!
I'm an MAT grad too! Did you do any student teaching? The two interviews I've been on that was a BIG deal to the admin.
I really doubt that age would be a factor against you. If anything, it might be a factor in your favor. With you being a little older than the average new teacher, you may not need/get as much in the way of retirement benefits if you plan to retire at the standard time.
Oh and what subject are you looking to teach? I also have an MAT, and mine's in Latin. I went straight through school, though, so I was 24 when I graduated and got my MAT. I landed a real teaching job about a year and a half later for the 06/07 school year.
Here in NY you cannot get a teaching certification without any student teaching, basically because part of the teaching program you go through requires you to do so.
At my school you would be hired in a heartbeat, if you were elementary ed. My principal tries to hire as many men as possible. Our students are in need of positive male role models.
Maybe that's what your cover letter should be playing up. Even a phrase "As a male in a female-dominated field, I realize I'm in the minority..." type stuff.
I'm only about 10 years younger than you, but I'm already pretty bald and look older. I don't think it's an age thing working against males in the field though. I think while some districts are really looking for men to teach, some are still afraid of it. I had two interviews where my gender came up frequently. later on, I found out that there was a huge scandal not too long ago in the central Illinois area where a male teacher was a pedo or something nasty like that, and a lot of principals are balking at hiring males for elementary because of that. Either way, good luck. I taught in a one year position so far, and I could really tell that some of those kids needed a male role model. Especially one that had attended post-high school education, because that was pretty rare for the area I was in. So we are really needed in some places. Keep pluggin at it.
I'm a 43 year old male beginning my first year teaching in August. My age was a factor....It is why I was hired! My principal liked the fact that I had a previous career, she was also. You bring years of experience to the classroom. Don't worry about it.
I think your age will actually help you. I had trouble my first year finding a job because I was only 24 and going to be teaching juniors and seniors. I was also told that I looked like the students!
I'm hoping not teachin2007. I just turned 50 but no one believes me. Anyway, it's all on how you see yourself. I feel young and that I have a lot to offer, so that's what counts. I think career changers are great. It's boring to do the same thing all your life. Good luck! You will probably land a job soon!
